Perfect Picture [The ShadowDance Club 7] (Siren Publishing Classic) (20 page)

Letting his mind move back to their wedding a week earlier, he smiled at the sweet memory. And Noah had finally come up with the perfect gift for Catherine Lamont for all her hard work planning the event. Now it was just a matter of getting Alex, Zach, and Jenna on board to make his plan a reality. The portrait he had in mind of the Lamont siblings would be stunning, and knowing how much the three loved and respected their mother he wasn’t expecting it to take much to get them to cooperate.

Catherine Lamont was a gorgeous former model who had given up a lucrative career when she’d married a young entrepreneur named Daniel Lamont. Together they had built a conglomerate of business holdings that Alex and Zach now managed. Daniel had acted as a both a personal and business mentor to several of his children’s friends who had lost their parents for whatever reason. The elder Lamonts were also huge financial supporters of the local medical center and several shelters for battered women around the state of Colorado. They preached and lived by the tenet that those who had received the greatest blessings owed the most back.

When the eldest of Ilaina’s fathers suffered a heart attack three months ago, Catherine had made it her personal mission to ensure that Ilaina would get the fairy tale wedding she’d confessed to her friends that she’d always dreamed of. Neither Ilaina, nor her mother had been available to be of much help because they’d spent every waking moment at James Red Cloud’s bedside. Ilaina had explained everyone in their family considered James Red Cloud to be a rock-solid source of guidance and comfort, and having him sidelined had been a wake-up call to them all.

Noah had never doubted that Cora Red Cloud was a submissive to her three Dominant husbands, but everyone had seen an entirely new side of the tiny woman since her husband’s illness. The change in Cora had amused her other husbands, and Noah suspected that was largely due to the fact no one had seen it coming.

Cora had managed her husband’s recovery with the tenacity of a drill sergeant. He’d even seen her clear out their condo in Denver when she thought James was too tired for company. Noah had been hard pressed to suppress his smile when she’d leaned behind Ilaina one night as she was all but shoving them out the door, and winked at him conspiratorially. James Red Cloud’s recovery hadn’t been without its ups and downs, but he seemed to be on the mend now—and there was no doubt that it was in no small part due to his wife’s devoted care.

Jesse Hunt and Quinn Tucker walked up and casually leaned against the railing next to Noah. He’d known both men for years and hadn’t been surprised to find out they were both members of The Club when he’d returned home this past year. Knowing they shared their women and their penchant for really bright, spirited redheads he had expected their interest in one of the Lamonts’ new female team members. Noah didn’t know much about Jazmin Edwards because Alex and Zach had both been uncharacteristically tight-lipped about their newest hire. What he did know was that she was beautiful and when they had been introduced Noah had noticed it seemed as though the woman was making an effort to avoid being in close proximity to men she didn’t know.

“What do you two deviants want?” Noah knew his friends would hear the laughter in his voice.

“Fuck you Drummond. You get the most photogenic woman in the world knocked up and suddenly you’re King of the Planet?” Quinn’s words made Noah snort out a laugh. At six foot four inches tall and a body builder’s solid frame, Deputy Sheriff Quinn Tucker wasn’t a man that people often missed in a room. What they often did miss was the man’s killer sense of humor.

For just a second Noah was too stunned to respond and both men took advantage and burst out laughing. Jesse Hunt leaned close and spoke softly. “No, it probably isn’t that obvious to everyone, but Quinn and I pay attention to details. How far along is she? Because she is starting to show a bit—oh hell, never mind, that’s not any of my business. I’ll wait for the big announcement, but congratulations anyway.”

“Thanks—I think. Now, what do you two asshats want? Because I’m fairly certain you didn’t come over just to be all sappy about Ilaina’s and my big
unannounced
news.” Neither of his friends usually had any trouble cutting straight to the chase, so Noah was more than a bit curious about their intent.

Both men sighed in resignation, but it was Quinn who finally spoke. “You still work with the ShadowDance teams, right? Or at least you’re in the loop?” When Noah just nodded, Quinn’s gaze flicked to Jazmin Edwards before returning to the center of the room. “What can you tell us about Jazi?”

Noah worked hard to suppress his smile. He wasn’t surprised that they had zeroed in on ShadowDance’s recently hired team member, but he was surprised they had decided to make inquiries of him rather than their usual
in your face
way of dealing with situations. Hell, both men were honest and direct almost to a fault, so obviously their interest in the petite redhead was sincere—and wasn’t that damned interesting. He’d known the men had been frustrated when their longtime submissive had suddenly decided to return to California without warning. Noah hadn’t heard all of the details of that situation, but the little he did know had sounded like they had been
played
big-time.

Deciding his friends had suffered enough recently without him yanking their chains further, Noah opted for transparency. “I know she was recommended by General Franklin. And that she is field trained as well as something of a cyber-crimes expert. Alex and Zach mentioned having her be a ‘Mobile Mitch’ and what exactly that will look like is anybody’s guess.” He looked at each of them and when he saw nothing but sincere interest he quietly added, “Okay, there is something else. This won’t be in the public version, but Alex mentioned something about her having a story to rival Jenna and Victoria’s. I know General Franklin was watching after her before she moved to Colorado and he escorted her out here himself.”

At Quinn’s raised eyebrow Noah added, “General Franklin is their Pentagon contact for all the work they do for the U.S. military. I don’t know much else, but I know she was hurt—both physically and emotionally—by a man who is now serving time. But I do know this much, both Alex and Zach feel like she is under their protection, so if you have a genuine interest in her, I’d suggest you speak with one or both of them before getting too far into it.” Both men nodded in understanding.

They all stood back looking out over the gallery and Noah noticed that both Jesse and Quinn’s gazes seemed to return to Jazmin every few seconds. Noah hadn’t really been watching her that closely, but now he could definitely see she was more than just a bit skittish. She stood close to an outside exit and kept her back flat to the wall and continually scanned the room as if she was expecting an ambush. When a young man from one of the local families moved close to her and appeared to be trying to engage her in conversation, Noah looked to his sides and saw each of the men’s eyes widen and then narrow when the nervous woman seemed to stiffen and flatten herself even tighter against the wall. Both men growled, “Later,” and moved off in her direction.

Noah’s eyes scanned the room and his heart warmed when he saw Ilaina across the room admiring one of the recent pictures he had taken of Myla when he and Iliana had traveled to Texas for a couple of days to visit last month. Feeling something brush against his arm, he glanced to his side, Noah realized
Níyol was standing near and smiling up at him indulgently. When he returned her smile she pulled him down so she could place a kiss on his cheek. “It warms my heart to see the look of love in your eyes as you look at my
yazhi
.” Noah remembered asking Ilaina once years about the nickname her grandmother used. Iliana had rolled her eyes and said it was the Navajo for “little one” because she was the youngest in the family.

While Ilaina had been busy with her family in Denver, Noah had taken the opportunity to spend some time with
Níyol
and they had formed a tight bond. He’d gotten her to pose for pictures and he’d been thrilled with the results. “And the joy I see in her face tells me everything I need to know. And congratulations to you both.” The older woman’s voice was quiet enough that she wouldn’t be overheard and the twinkle in her eye let Noah know she was well aware of their secret.

“You are too wise
shimasani
.” Noah had deliberately used her own Navajo word for grandmother, knowing she now considered him one of her own grandchildren. “My beautiful
cara
knew she wouldn’t be able to fool you.” He pulled her close and hugged her. “Did you like your pictures?”

When he looked into her eyes, he was startled to see them fill with tears. “They are perfect Noah. You not only captured my soul, but also the soul of every Spirit Talker. You have worked a bit of magic with your camera and I am honored.” Noah had already been offered enormous sums of money for several of the pictures and planned to donate the money to charities benefiting the Navajo people. “They will be here before you even have a chance to blink, Noah.”
Hold up! Did she just say they?
“And he will look just like his beautiful mama, but she will look like her handsome papa.”

Níyol didn’t act as if she had just pulled the rug out from under him and he could only shake his head and laugh. “Does Ilaina know?” He hoped her grandmother hadn’t told her because he wanted to be with his bride when she heard the news.

“No. And I won’t tell her or anyone else your joyous news, but you best not wait too long because her family is filled with men who miss nothing.” She turned and smiled up at him. “You are going to be amazing parents and raising your children with those of your friends will be special indeed. And Dr. Bree is going to be a wonderful mother too, oh, but wait until they share their news, please.” As she walked away, Noah couldn’t help but chuckle. It was going to take him a while to get used to the woman’s ability to
talk to the wind
and hear the future. Between Níyol and Mitch, ShadowDance Mountain was fast becoming the hardest place in the world to keep a secret.

Ilaina walked up to Noah and leaned against his chest. She was beyond tired, but their friends hadn’t shown any interest in breaking up the party yet. “I love you. I just needed to tell you.” She loved the feeling of his arms wrapped around her. The past six months had been a contrast of the best and most frightening moments of her life. Her father’s illness had been an eye-opening experience for every member of their family, but as frightening as the lessons had been…they had been incredibly valuable too. James Red Cloud was the anchor of their family and seeing him lying in a hospital bed had reminded them all about how fragile life could be.

Just as Noah had started to speak to her, Alex stepped up to them. “It seems this is a pattern with us and I am sorry to interrupt you once again. But I’m afraid my sweet wife and Victoria Bartell have conspired to liven up your gallery opening, Noah. And Níyol tells me that Layla is only a couple of hours behind them.”

Ilaina hurried over to where the two women were sitting on the leather sofa. “Oh my God, this is so exciting. Are you two doing okay? How can I help?”

Kat looked up at her and grinned before her expression went serious and her breathing started coming in quick panting puffs of air. Zach quickly scooped her up and started for the door and Trace Bartell had his wife in his arms and was right behind him. Bree Creed-Jantz looked at Ilaina and whispered, “I think you and I are up next, sister.” Ilaina knew she had to have looked surprised and Bree laughed. “No, no one told me, but I’m a doctor, Lainy, so I recognize some of the early signs. I’ll see you in my office next week, right?” She hadn’t waited for Lainy’s answer before she’d rushed toward the door with her husbands Jamie and Ethan right behind her like two mother hens.

Looking over at Layla, Lainy noticed her sister-in-law appeared a bit green. She saw Cash and Clay quickly making their way toward where Layla was sitting cradled on Collin’s lap. Layla reached her first and took Layla’s shaking hand in her own. “Hey sweetie, you doing okay? You look a bit pale.”

Layla looked up at her with unfocused eyes. “I don’t really feel that great. I’ve asked Collin to take me home. Cash went to get Clay and then we’ll be heading out.” Layla laid her head on Collin’s shoulder. When Lainy looked up at her brother she could tell he wasn’t at all happy, and she was relieved when he mouthed the word
hospital
to her. She nodded once to let him know she understood and then went to get a blanket for them to wrap Layla in because she had started shivering.

Cash took the blanket as soon as she’d returned and had no sooner wrapped it around his tiny wife than she groaned, “Oh, Cash, I’m sorry, but I think my water just broke. You better put me down or you’re going to get all wet.”

Lainy didn’t hear what Cash whispered in Layla’s ear, but at the blush that spread over her sister-in-law’s cheeks she could probably guess. Just then Noah wrapped his loving arms around her from behind and placed his hands protectively over her stomach before saying, “We’ll be along in a little while. I want Ilaina to rest a bit before we head your way. Keep us posted, please.”

Watching everyone making their way quickly out of the gallery Lainy was amazed when it took less than five minutes for the entire gallery to clear out. The only people besides her and Noah still in the building were the catering clean-up crew. Lainy had wanted to protest when Noah had said she needed to rest before they went to the hospital. But suddenly she was very appreciative that he’d known what she needed even when she hadn’t.